GAC Motor Racing Team excels at 2021 Kalayaan Cup Endurance Challenge

The GAC Motor Racing Team made it to the podium at the 2021 Petron Kalayaan Cup Endurance Challenge, getting second place overall.

The five-man team, driving the stock GAC GA4 1.5 MT at the track, was composed of Andre Tan, Milo Rivera, Kody Ng, Patrick Mendoza, and Brennan Lim.

Aside from that, the team secured the following accolades:

• 2021 Kalayaan Cup 12-hour race Champion in Open B Class
• 2021 Kagitingan Cup six-hour race Champion in Open B Class
• 2021 Kalayaan Cup four-hour race Champion in Open B Class

The team managed to climb from 11th place to 2nd place in the 12-hour race that took place last June 12.

Rivera, the lead driver, attributed the win to the vehicle's durability and efficiency that helped them stay longer on the track.

“Given that we raced it at stock, we knew that we had disadvantage when it came to power. Yet we turned that disadvantage into strength through utilizing our strategies down to the smallest of details—which we were able to achieve successfully. Plus the fuel efficiency and the durability of the GA4 complemented our efforts as we completed the race flawlessly and problem-free,” Rivera said.

Meanwhile, Lim, who is also GAC Motor Metrowalk branch head, noted the challenges that they have experienced on the race.

“This year’s race has a lot of safety risks and challenges due to the pandemic. It’s a new car that we’ve raced in a 12-hour endurance challenge; so basically, it is a whole new experience for us. Through hard work and dedication, we were able to overcome these challenges and managed to win 1st in our class, and 2nd overall champion,” Lim was quoted as saying.

GAC Motor said that the GAC GA4 zoomed past the checkered flag without any mechanical issues and pitted only for refueling, tire and driver changes.

“The car allowed us to maximize our stints, not just by how fuel efficient it was, but by how reliable it was. It is sturdy; it was still even in tip-top condition even though we were down at the late stages of the race. It felt like it was at Hour One,” Rivera added.

In November, the GAC Motor Racing Team will join the 2021 Bonifacio Cup eight-hour Endurance Race to be held at the Batangas Racing Circuit.

The team bagged four championships in the 2019 Kalayaan Cup four-hour Endurance Championship (Manufacturer’s Class), the 2019 Kalayaan Cup 12-hour Endurance Championship (Manufacturer’s Class), the 2019 Bonifacio Cup four-hour Endurance Championship (Manufacturer’s Class) and the 2019 Bonifacio Cup four-hour Endurance Championship (Open Category).

Photos from Legado Motors Inc.

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